The Muslim Students Association (MSA) at SJNY’s Brooklyn Campus is conducting a donation drive to benefit those affected by the recent catastrophic earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
Requested items include new blankets, canned foods, towels, diapers, baby essentials, hygienic pads, over-the-counter medications and first aid supplies. Winter clothing is no longer being accepted due to an overstock of those items.
Those looking to make donations can drop items off outside the Student Life office on the first floor of Tuohy Hall any time over the next two weeks.
On Feb. 6, 2023, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck parts of Turkey and Syria, making it the second-most powerful quake to hit the area since the 17th century. The initial earthquake was followed by over 2,100 aftershocks and together have caused over $84.1 billion in damage.
Concurrently, a winter storm affecting the area has hindered relief efforts, and as a result over 40,000 people are estimated to have died due to the catastrophe as of Feb. 16. In Turkey, roughly 380,000 people have been displaced, and in Syria, nearly 300,000 are without homes.
Donations made to the MSA’s drive will be sent to affected areas mainly through the Turkish embassy in New York City.